Washington, DC

Today, U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, made the following statement regarding reports of former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Lisa Jackson, intentionally using her personal email to conduct official business, a violation of federal record-keeping laws.

"For months this Administration has brushed off transparency concerns, especially when it comes to federal record-keeping laws. Former EPA Administrator Jackson, aka ‘Richard Windsor', has been the biggest culprit," said Vitter. "Even with EPA's recent promises to review and revamp its email practices and policies, the mere fact that the agency's Administrator was trying to circumvent ‘sunshine' laws is a huge red flag for the effectiveness of the agency and the Administration. There is a statutory obligation to preserve and not destroy agency communications, and I hope that Ms. Jackson will take the appropriate steps to ensure all her communications during her time as head of the agency are properly preserved."

Sen. Vitter and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, have partnered on an investigation of inappropriate record keeping practices within the Administration, stemming from concerns over former EPA Administrator Jackson's e-mail alias "Richard Windsor." Jackson resigned late last year amidst questions of her "Richard Windsor" email alias. Click here to read more.

-30-